“As a singer you have to portray certain...feelings in your songs…you must have been in love with someone before, right?” 

Yunho glanced at Changmin out of the corner of his eye, wondering how he would handle the sly, albeit good-natured, question this time around.  His general style was to skillfully avoid it…but it had been awhile…and he had experienced things since the last time he was asked… 

Changmin smiled slightly and paused for a moment, the microphone at his mouth while he took the time to formulate a well-articulated, blunt  answer.

“Of course.”  He said simply before screams erupted in the audience.  The MC raised her eyebrows. 

“What kind of love was it?”  Changmin’s smile softened to something nostalgic for just a moment...just long enough for Yunho to see her face.  The flash of a white dress.  The sweet warmth of her smile.

“It was…innocent.”  He said finally, quietly.

“A celebrity?” The MC prodded.  Changmin shook his head.

“No…just…someone I loved.”  He said.

“Did Yunho know her?”  Yunho glanced at Changmin before answering.

“Of course.”

“And Choikang Changmin’s type?”

“Sweet…kind…”

“Pretty?”  The MC prodded again.

“Very.  It’s Changmin…she had to catch his attention first.”  Yunho joked.

Changmin looked away and Yunho wondered why he had chosen to reopen this wound…why today?

...

“What was that?”  Yunho asked evenly.  Changmin closed the locker door. 

“What do you mean?”

“Come on.”  Yunho said softly.  “It’s unlike you to mention her…what’s up?”  Changmin leaned against the locker. 

“I got a letter.”  Yunho straightened from pulling his sneakers out of the bottom of the locker.

“From her?”  Changmin ran his hands over his face.

“From there anyway.”

“Well…what did it say?” 

“I…haven’t opened it yet.”  He said quietly, packing his bag with the rest of his things.

“Why not?”  Changmin was quiet.  “Changmin?”  Changmin swallowed hard.

“I can tell her locket is in the envelope, okay?”  He whispered.  “I’m not quite ready to open it yet.”  Yunho pressed a hand onto his friend’s shoulder. 

“You want to get a drink with me?  …or are you going to drink alone again?”